How the government shutdown helped Northern Iowa land a wrestling recruit

State champion picks the Panthers over Air Force.

11:52 PM,
Oct. 20, 2013

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Northern Iowa used help from an unusual source to land its latest wrestling recruit.

In a roundabout way, the government shutdown played a role in Mediapolis state champion Adam Drain's decision to commit to the Panthers.

"It was between the Air Force and UNI, and with the government shutting down, they threatened to take away the football game between Air Force and (Navy)," said Drain, who carries a 3.98 GPA and also considered Princeton and Iowa State. "With football being the most-loved sport in America, if they threatened to take away a football game I ...